The pelvis serves many roles in our bodies.  Nearly every movement and position of the human body depends on the pelvis.  Proper activity and balance between all of the muscles, joints, and tissues of the pelvis are essential for normal pain-free function.  The pelvis gives support and protection to the internal organs, and controls bladder and bowel function.

Pregnancy and childbirth can have a lasting effect on your pelvic floor muscle fitness. It is therefore important to look after these muscles during this important time of your life. During Pregnancy and childbirth many ladies find that their pelvic floor muscles (PFM) become stretched out, loosened and weak. Special exercises can help to condition and strengthen the PFM. Good pelvic floor muscle tone assists women to maintain bladder and bowel control throughout pregnancy. They also help reduce the risk of developing prolapses during or after pregnancy and assist with recovery after birth.

The pelvic floor muscles form the base of the group of muscles commonly called the ‘core’.  These muscles work with the deep abdominal (tummy) and back muscles and the diaphragm (breathing muscle) to support the spine and control the pressure inside the abdomen. In the ideal situation the regulation of pressure within the abdomen happens automatically. The muscles of the ‘core’ work together well- the pelvic floor muscles lift, the abdominal and back muscles draw in to support the spine, and breathing is easy, the pelvic floor muscles respond appropriately to the increase in abdominal pressure.

If any of the muscles of the ‘core’, including the pelvic floor, are weakened or damaged, this coordinated automatic action may be altered.  Over time this may place strain down on the pelvic organs and this may result in loss of bladder or bowel control, or pelvic organ prolapse.  If a problem already exists, then pelvic floor symptoms can potentially be worsened.

Exercising the pelvic floor muscles can dramatically improve their strength and in turn reverse any negative changes that result from weakened PFM.

My pelvic floor strengthening program works in three parts

• Building up the strength of the PFM
• Making sure that the PFM are stretched and rested as well
• Functional, dynamic PF conditioning.

I help my clients to reeducate their bodies to be able to function with a strong base of PFM.